Press Releases

Congresswoman Gwen Moore Updated Statement on Ongoing War Israel-Hamas War

Congresswoman Moore released the following statement:

“Outraged. Heartbroken. Horrified. Fed up. There are a lot of words and lots of emotions to describe the ongoing conflict in Israel and Gaza. 

It becomes clearer by the day that there needs to be a humanitarian ceasefire - an effort I called for months ago.  Every day we continue along the present path, Israeli’s are no more secure, hostages are no closer to freedom, suffering in Gaza increases tremendously, and the Netanyahu-led government feels more emboldened to thumb its nose at its allies and less concerned with civilian fatalities. The world is demanding a need a new direction in this conflict. Every day that we see another tragedy, it becomes less and less meaningful whether they are unintentional or not.

And with each day, besides the direct threat to civilians that remains, the obstacles to any form of peace only seem to grow. The Netanyahu government continues to ignore its ally’s warnings when it comes to a looming invasion of Rafah, shows indifference to civilian casualties and suffering while demonstrating frustrating little progress in dismantling Hamas or in efforts to secure the safe return of hostages. 

The Netanyahu government has not only opposed the longstanding U.S. goal of a two-state solution in words, but also in actions, like continuing to support expanding settlements in the West Bank that directly oppose that goal. And in response to rising violence in the West Bank —in particular the rise in extremist settler violence, including acts or threats of violence against civilians and destroying or seizing property in order to help preserve the viability of two state solution, President Biden has had to impose sanctions.   

When I first made this call for a humanitarian ceasefire, the situation was dire, unlivable, and uninhabitable but conditions have only worsened.

I can’t imagine the frustration, anger, and outrage of the loved ones and family members of the hostages who are no closer to returning to their families. I can’t even speak of the Palestinians in Gaza and the children who are suffering. According to USAID, ‘The entire population in the Gaza strip is facing acute food insecurity and a quarter of the population of Gaza – nearly 600,000 people – are facing catastrophic levels of food insecurity, characterized by households experiencing an extreme lack of food and starvation. This is the highest percentage of acutely food insecure people that food security experts have ever recorded.’

U.S. and other forces are now reluctantly airdropping aid because the flow of aid, which was insufficient in the first place, is still far below what is needed. 

And now those who have tried bravely to try and meet those needs, continue to find themselves under threat. 

I joined President Biden in condemning the recent deaths of aid workers. To quote the President, ‘Incidents like yesterday’s simply should not happen.’ Yet, they continue to do and will do so as long as the status quo continues. We must change that status quo and quickly if we are all truly interested in achieving permanent peace.

And a good first step is for the U.S. to enforce the President’s new National Security Memorandum that requires U.S. aid to be used in compliance with U.S. and international law, including mandates specific to humanitarian aid and taking actions to protect civilians.  It is unconscionable to make the delivery and receipt of food and aid a death sentence, especially when the humanitarian crisis is as dire as in Gaza.”